COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Lions head into stretch run

By Frank Bodani, York Daily Record/Sunday News 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

STATE COLLEGE  The Nittany Lions begin their final three-game run of the season  their toughest run  on the road, against a surging team with lots to play for and possibly without two of their top producers.

The venue? Nebraskas Memorial Stadium is big and loud ... and really red. But the Lions have won their past three Big Ten road games, including the dismantling of Iowa in front of a large, hostile gathering.

The opponent part of the equation?

The Cornhuskers already have three stunning comeback victories, are undefeated at home, and are pushing for a spot in the league title game and a Rose Bowl bid.

But Penn State has its own incentive.

Just because they have a chance to make the Big Ten championship game doesnt mean were going to lay down, senior cornerback Stephon Morris said. We have a lot of pride. Well be ready to play.

And, finally, the injury part?

It might seem to be the most important part, considering those involved.

OBrien confirmed they both participated in Mondays practice, though he would not give any details.

They come in every day for treatment, OBrien said in his weekly press conference. We take a look at them in the training room, in the weight room, out on the field. Really, that will be a later-in-the-week decision, whether they can play or not.

Carter, who is the teams second-leading receiver, missed the Purdue trip with an injured ankle. Hill, a senior leader, apparently escaped serious injury during the victory in West Lafayette, when his injured knee was diagnosed quickly as a sprain.

Carter would seem to be the better bet to play Saturday, but we may not know until Friday night  or even just before kickoff.

OBrien and his players didnt seem overly-concerned about playing a ranked team on the road without two of their best.

Theyve been through a lot worse in the past year.

Plus, their next-man-up philosophy already has kicked in.

When asked about developing, and then relying, on his teams depth this season, OBrien pointed to his offensive line, running backs and receivers as key examples.

He went on to his tight ends and defensive linemen.

Which brings us to Hill. If he cannot play Saturday, or is limited, expect more time from senior backup James Terry and redshirt sophomore Kyle Baublitz.

Terry has played in all nine games and has 12 tackles and a sack; Baublitz has played in six games with three tackles and a sack.

Ive been pleased with both those guys, OBrien said. When they go in there they play hard, and they do what theyre supposed to do.

James Terry had a couple of big plays in the Purdue game, had a sack in the red area. Kyle, when he has gone in there, hes played hard, too, and hes a tough guy. Great kid to be around.

Meanwhile, tight end is an even deeper position.

Penn State leads the nation in receptions by tight ends and goes three-deep behind Carter with Gary Gilliam, Matt Lehman and true freshman Jesse James, who has been coming on strong lately.

James had a big touchdown catch early at Iowa and came back with three more receptions and another touchdown at Purdue.

He has unlimited potential, OBrien said. He is a 6-foot-7, 265-pound, young kid who came out of high school early, took a while to learn what were trying to do, but he kept working at it.

* * * Making strides: OBrien called his defensive secondary one of the most improved units on the team. Theyre very well coached by John Butler. I think anybodys whos been to our practices (sees) John coach those guys with detail and intensity and hes a teacher. He accepts nothing less than their best.

* * *Developing trust: OBrien went on for a while about the growing relationship between himself and quarterback Matt McGloin.

He credited a McGloin observation and play suggestion that led to a touchdown against Purdue.

I wouldnt say he comes to me with a lot of ideas, but he does, during the games, when he sees things hell say, Hey, theyre doing this, we might want to try that, and theyre good thoughts, OBrien said. So as you learn more about your role and the offense, you have every right to have communication between coach and player, and Matt has definitely earned that right. 